Dogs outside in this weather

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MissJael

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I've a 5yr old Lab who has lived outside all his life with just his dog box for shelter. He has been very happy with this, but I'm a wee bit worried now it has got so cold, although it's around -5ish here and not as bad as with the rest of you.
He seems happy in himself and is not used to being in the house so even letting him stay in the house at night would probably wind him up.
I'm just a bit paranoid he's going to get a chill or something, but he has a great thick coat.
Any advice?
 
My mum's 10 year old Lab and 8 year old Border Collie are outside, they have a shed (with door open about 8") with dog beds in and they are fine. Both have been outside for years and have big thick coats. I'm sure yours will be fine if he has a bed/blanket in his box, as long as it's facing away from the wind.
 
Our farm Collie is outside, although she is in a normal dog kennel she has two duvets to snuggle up in and the kennel is actually inside a farm outbuilding, which has no outside walls. She's coping fine, and it was -15degrees here last night
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I hate the thought of any animal being out in this, even my rabbits have moved into the utility room, and I was upset that my brothers dogs were in kennels all winter with just newspapers in a box for a bed. But what do I know, his haven't died and seem fine. I just feel sorry for them 'cos it can't be very cosy.
 
Ahhh that makes me feel a bit better, I must be going soft! He's a hardy fella and I know he is ok! I felt so guilty earlier I went and got him the biggest bone I could find to keep his mind off the cold!
 
Our lab lives outside 24/7
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shes not allowed in the house cos my brothers allergic

Its got down to -10 here at one stage...she has a kennel in the shed but prefers to make her bed in a pile of blankets and an old sleeping bag in the same shed.Both places are free from draught's so shes happy enough...

i spent the first very cold night checking on her cos i was a bit worried and she was grand and warm(under her elbows is where i was checking) til 5 when i went to bed.

She has a nice thick coat and is used to this weather..plus for once were feeding her ad lib dry nuts just to be on the safe side.
 
Mine are out......my akita sits at the back door if I force her to stay in and tries to escape back to kennel...........akitas hate hea, the deeround is also out, he was beon in a kennel again her would pant like mad if brought in, they have vet bed..the akita has chucked hers out
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If they are used to it, and their coats have become accustomed to it, they have plenty warmth, unless in ill health, give him extra bedding, he may chuck it but atleast he has the option.
 
I've got his kennel facing out of the wind and it is flanked by 2 walls, I'd love to give him a duvet to cuddle up in but I fear he would tear it to shreds!
 
Thanks Cayla, he is a healthy dog and is full of beans, I suppose I shouldn't worry unless he seems not to be himself
 
All ours live out but then they are huskies....plus a collie. The one we imported from Alaska must be finding it warm though last nights -18 probably came close to normality!! All are fine. The collies at the farm are out all the time as well. As is my Horse.
 
Mine live out all year round, they are from Germany, they can cope, and they both have coats like bears, Bella has trailed her vetbed out and dumped it the last two nights running, the little weirdo!

B is only inside so I can keep an eye on his itchyness.
 
As long as it's a double-coated breed, they'll be fine. If it was a dachshund, Doberman, greyhound, Boston terrier, or any other breed without an undercoat, then that's a different matter.

My neighbour's Samoyed has the choice to come indoors, but he sleeps outside on the patio during winter, even on frigid nights.
 

mine are out in kennels which are within a barn. we have collies... i admit ive felt awful for them so ordered tankie tops from equafleece and they are brill
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My 11 yr old Lab's always lived out, he hates being inside (whines, scratches back door, doesnt settle etc)
I think it'll be more cruel to bring him inside where he'll be too hot and uncomfortabe

He fell asleep on monday and woke up like a snowman
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My nearly 12 year old GSD has always lived out,, although she does sleep in a brick kennel which she is shut in at night. I have to admit I have put a dull emitter heat lamp in with her the last couple of weeks, but as I said she is an old lady. During the day she is outside in her run and although she has a wooden box to go in she rarely uses it.
 
Our four are all out, they sleep together in a kennel, and OH has nailed up a hessian sack over the door hole, it's about 4 foot square in there so they have to snuggle up and share their heat! The cocker has always lives out, the springer has adapted just fine and has grown a much thicker coat this year, the lab has been in the kennels from about 10 weeks old, and my lurcher has a thick coat on, and buries himself under the other three! OH has just relented though, and bought them a heat pad with armoured cable!
 
GSD's and Bouvier x. Mine have the choice of a yard and a large unheated mudroom to sleep in, I frequently see them asleep covered in snow. Our temperatures average -10 by day, for MONTHS, and it hasn't killed them yet . It is totally normal for farm dogs to live outside (ours are considered spoiled in that they actually have a ROOM) here. As long as they have a bed, and water (I have a heated water bowl for them) I am quite happy to give them the choice as to where they sleep, I do feed them more in winter though. Obviously older, more delicate or thin coated dogs need a bit more pampering. I'd love a daschund but don't do house dogs, so can't have one, anyway, our County limit for dogs per property is 3.
 
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